UPDATE: Lewes man, woman arrested for animal cruelty

1280 Hensey Puckett

8/28 UPDATE: Police have arrested Hensey and an additional suspect in this case.

On Friday, police received a tip from a concerned citizen that Hensey and his wife, 33-year-old Chelsie Puckett, were seen in the parking lot of 19791 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach. On arrival, police found 14 more dogs that were living in the couple’s SUV, which was full of trash, feces, and debris.

The dogs were seized and taken to the Brandywine Valley SPCA for care.

Hensey has been charged with 29 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and was released on a $14,500 unsecured bond.

Puckett was charged with 14 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and was released on a $7,000 unsecured bond.

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LEWES, Del. – Delaware Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) officials are asking for the public’s help locating a suspect wanted in connection with an animal cruelty case in Lewes.

32-year-old Dillon Hensey has an outstanding warrant through Delaware Animal Services (DAS) in connection with the animal cruelty case that occurred at his home earlier this month in Lewes.

47 ABC News spoke with DAS Chief Mark Tobin who tells us the incident stemmed from a call they got on August 7 that eventually led to the discovery of over 30 dogs living in deplorable conditions.

“When we got there we found dogs kind of running at large on the property,” Chief Tobin said. “The dogs were attempting to get out of a broken window as we arrived which was just a crazy situation.”

As shocking as that was, Chief Tobin tells us his team was in for an even greater surprise after they obtained a search warrant and entered the home.

“When we went in, it was just a very eye-opening situation once we got inside the property,” Chief Tobin said. “Feces covered floors, disarray, and trash. They were probably there for a decent amount of time. There was feces and urine all over the property and inside the house.”

Well over 30 dogs were rescued from the property which Hensey reportedly abandoned. DAS officials say he has refused to turn himself in and his current location is unknown.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact their local police department or Delaware Animal Services at 302-255-4646.

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